Thursday, March 19, 2020

Find the Right Word for the Job

Find the Right Word for the Job Find the Right Word for the Job Find the Right Word for the Job By Mark Nichol One of the most effective ways to achieve a rich, expressive writing style is to strive to find the ideal words to express yourself. For example, whether you’re writing a report or a novel, always review your writing to make certain you are using vivid descriptions. Nouns Let’s say you want to describe a box. Before you even get to piling adjectives on top of it, tell your reader what type of box it is: Is it a locker, or a locket? Is it a chest, a trunk, or a crate? Does it resemble a jewelry box, a tinderbox, or a snuffbox? (If a character in a story is secreting love letters or other objects he or she wishes to suppress, the box in question could be metaphorically referred to as a coffin.) Adjectives Plenty of handy words exist for helping readers picture something. There are terms for size, shape, mass, color, and other qualities, including how an object affects the five senses. But there are adjectives, and then there are adjectives. Which word conjures a more arresting image: Bad, or malevolent? Big, or monolithic? Black, or a synonym like ebony, obsidian, or sable that also provides a textural clue? Verbs You’re describing someone walking. But there’s more than one way to walk. Is the person ambling, or scrambling? Strolling, or strutting? Mincing, or meandering? Precise verbs can convey a lot of information, signal your tone (serious or whimsical), and help readers visualize action. Adverbs How does something occur? With the right verb, adverbs are less important or even unnecessary (just as an ideal noun can diminish the need for an adjective), but they can come in handy. Is something said mirthfully, or morosely? Confidently, or confidentially? Rightfully, or righteously (or self-righteously)? Illustrative adverbs help verbs just as coordinated colors please the eye. Collecting Words How do you find just the right word for the job? A thesaurus (one type of -saurus that will never go extinct) is a handy tool for enriching written language, but the most effective strategy is to read good books and articles (online or in print). Amassing one’s word-hoard (a magnificent compound stemming from the Old English term wordhord) is best accomplished organically by osmosis. Read so that you can write writing others will read. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Style category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:70 Idioms with Heart36 Poetry Terms5 Keys to Better Sentence Flow

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

10 Companies With Amazing Benefits for Part Time Employees

10 Companies With Amazing Benefits for Part Time Employees Trying to finish school or take care of a family, or start a business on the side, but jealous of everyone with full-time benefits? Here are 10 companies you could work for that offer great benefits for part time employees. 1. Avis/BudgetThe Avis Budget Group also includes Apex, Payless, and Zipcar. When you work for this company, you are eligible for the employee stock purchase plan after 90 days. And after 1,000 hours of service, even part-time sales associates and vehicle techs are eligible for a 401k.An extra perk? You can get a discounted price on former rental vehicles when you need to buy a car.2. Barnes NobleBarnes Noble offers basic life insurance to everyone who works there. Plus after six months of employment, you get one paid week off per year. After one year, that doubles to two weeks! If you love books- or even just tolerate them- this could be the place for you.3. The Container StorePart-timers here get access to 401k, medical, dental, and vision plans. There’ s also good counseling, a corporate wellness plan, gym membership discounts- and even pet insurance discounts. Plus you might be able to get coverage for your common law spouse or domestic partner.4. CostcoAfter you’ve worked part-time for 180 days (or 600 hours), you’re eligible to receive benefits- healthcare, prescription drugs, etc. And if you work at least 10 hours per week, you’ll be enrolled in short-term disability insurance as well.5. Lowe’sLowe’s will give you a preventative health care plan right off the bat- which doesn’t cover hospitalization or illness, but will hopefully keep you in primo shape with tons of preventative care. They also have 401k, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, auto and home insurance plans or discounts.6. REIThis co-op gives employees health care, life, and disability on a sliding scale (based on annual pay) when they work at least 20 hours a week. If you work less than that, they’ll help y ou navigate the marketplace and get coverage elsewhere. There’s a great employee assistance plan available to all. Plus, the company gives 5% of eligible employees’ base pay to a retirement plan, plus profit sharing opportunities and pre-tax transportation subsidies.7. StaplesWork there for 90 days, and you can sign up for dental, vision, short-term disability, and life insurance. If you average 30 hours a week for a year, you’ll then be able to enroll in full-time medical. After 1,000 hours and a year, you’re also eligible for 401k and stock options.8. StarbucksWork 240 hours over three consecutive months and average 20 hours a week, and Starbucks gives you great benefits- including a health plan that includes acupuncture and chiropractic care. After a year, you’re eligible for PTO. And there are life insurance, 401k, online tuition reimbursement, and adoption expense reimbursement benefits programs available. Plus free coffee every week!9. U-Haul There are limited medical and dental plans available to all part-time employees. Plus 401k and stock options, travel insurance, and a credit union for banking.10. UPSUPS offers education assistance to part-time employees. Get an extra $5250 a year ($25k max, lifetime) to go back to school!